Ten Pieces of Inspiration #143

Each week, I highlight ten things each week that inspired me to greater financial, personal, and professional success. Hopefully, they will inspire you as well.

1. Thomas Watson on thought

“All the problems of the world could be settled easily if men were only willing to think. The trouble is that men very often resort to all sorts of devices in order not to think, because thinking is such hard work.” – Thomas J. Watson

Emotional responses are always easier than thoughtful responses, and people almost always opt for the path of least resistance.

Most of our bad decisions happen when our attention is directed at the wrong place.

3. Ray Bradbury on goals

“If you drown, at least die knowing you were heading for shore.” – Ray Bradbury

Failing with a direction in mind is far better than failing aimlessly.

4. Autumn 1

The final heat wave of summer has broken, and this will be followed shortly by the arrival of autumn. I’ve already been downloading pictures for my background to get myself in the right mindset. Today, I’m presenting three of them, starting with this shot by Ramón Peco.

5. Abraham Lincoln on preparation

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” – Abraham Lincoln

For most tasks, a little bit of preparation time ends up reducing the overall time spent and improves the quality of the end product.

6. Jeremy Clarkson on friendship

“Friendship is not an unshakable bond at all. It’s like a gigantic sand dune. Seemingly huge and permanent, but one day you wake up, and it’s gone.” – Jeremy Clarkson

All human relationships need love and care or else they go into decline.

7. Autumn 2

Thanks to Zion National Park for this great image!

8. Stephen Jay Gould on lost genius

“I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein’s brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops.” – Stephen Jay Gould

This succinctly explains why I think all children deserve an incredibly good education, regardless of the cost to all of us.

9. Autumn 3

Thanks to Cristiano Betta for this great image!

10. Gandhi on victory and defeat

“Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary.” — Mahatma Gandhi

Books worth budgeting for

My new book, The Simple Dollar: How One Man Wiped Out His Debts and Achieved the Life of His Dreams, is available in bookstores now. Check out some of the life-changing experiences the book has given readers!

Check out my book, 365 Ways to Live Cheap, available in bookstores everywhere! It's filled with 365 great tactics you can apply to your personal finances, from frugal tips to great ideas for managing your money.